# XIV explained — The Uncalled

> Chapter companion for The Uncalled by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

## What happens

After his confrontation with the congregation, Fred Brent decides to leave Dexter and move to Cincinnati. He packs his belongings and says goodbye to Eliphalet and Mrs. Hodges, who are deeply grieved by his departure. Mrs. Hodges feels her life's work has been undone, while Eliphalet is heartbroken. Fred travels by train to Cincinnati, where he experiences the loneliness of a stranger in a big city, finds a boardinghouse, and begins to adjust to his new freedom.

## Themes in this chapter

### Repression and Authenticity

Fred feels he has been a 'slave' in Dexter and embraces his new freedom, contrasting his repressive upbringing with his desire for authentic self-expression.

### Parental Legacy and Identity

Mrs. Hodges sees Fred as her creation, a statue of her own making, and his departure destroys her dream and sense of accomplishment.

### Love and Control

Mrs. Hodges' love for Fred is intertwined with her pride and control; his leaving reveals the fragility of a love built on expectation.

## Character check-ins

### Fred Brent

Leaves Dexter for Cincinnati, feeling relief and excitement about his newfound freedom, though he regrets leaving Eliphalet.

### Mrs. Hester Hodges

Grieves deeply over Fred's departure, feeling her life's work and pride have been shattered.

### Eliphalet Hodges

Saddened by Fred's leaving, he tries to comfort his wife and expresses hope that they will grow closer.

### Elizabeth Simpson

Fred dismisses her with mild contempt, believing she could not understand or sympathize with him.

## Key lines

> She cared for him in much the same way that a sculptor loves his statue. Her attitude was that of one who says, “Look upon this work; is it not fair? I made it myself.”

Mrs. Hodges loved Fred as an artist loves their own creation, taking pride in having shaped him.

_Highlights the theme of parental legacy and identity._

> There is no loneliness like the loneliness of the unknown man in a crowd.

The deepest loneliness is that of a stranger surrounded by people who do not know him.

_Captures Fred's feeling of isolation upon arriving in Cincinnati._

> It is so much better this way, for if the awakening had come later we should have been miserable together.

Fred thinks it is best that he and Elizabeth parted now, as a later realization would have led to mutual unhappiness.

_Reflects Fred's rationalization of his broken relationship with Elizabeth._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_uncalled_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters